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Car Starting Problems
Some of the common car starting problems stem from a discharged battery, a bad fuel pump (or no fuel), a weakened starter motor, or a broken electrical connection. Checking each part will help troubleshoot why the car won’t start.
5,524 Questions
Why will a car not turn over if there is power and the starter and alternator are new?
Internal combustion engines need 3 things to start and run: air, fuel, and spark. First look over all of your fuses, to make sure none of them such as the fuel pump fuse, or the fusable link have burned out. Make sure your battery is not faulty, even a brand new battery could potentially be no good. Check the voltage with your volt or multi meter, it should read around 12.5v. Inspect the cables to and from the battery and alternator, but sure they are properly installed. Check your air induction system, make sure the air filter is nice and clean, no blockages. If your vehicle is equipped with a MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor) make sure it is plugged in correctly. Likewise if your vehicle is equipped with a MAP (manifold absolute pressure sensor) be sure that is plugged in correctly. Visually inspect the entire length of the intake piping, for loose clamps, cracked piping, or gaps. Once you have completed that if your vehicle has a distributor system, remove the distributor cap and replace it if necessary. If you see any visible damage to the spark plug wires, or the age of them is unknown replace them. Next check your spak plugs for the correct gap as recommended by the manufacturer, be sure they are in good shape before reinstalling them. If the vehicle still will not start, try replacing your fuel filter. This is usually inline, though in some cases it is in the fuel tank itself. Once that is completed turn the key to the accessory position, in most vehicles you should hear the fuel pump turn on and prime the lines for starting. If you do, you should be in good shape at this point.
If a 1995 Chevy Cavalier overheated and will not start, try checking some of the sensors near the radiator. The radiator could be leaking which caused the overheating, and in turn, caused a sensor to get wet in the engine compartment.
Why does my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee start fine sometimes other times hard start and cuts off?
I had this problem and found and answer on the internet. Find your computer, mine is next to windshield wiper water bottle. Pull off the plastic cover than unplug the leads to computer. You will see two screws back them out one turn. That is it. Some how the cover is shorting the computer because the screws are to tight, Mine is a 1996 Cherokee Limited.
If your spark plugs are bad will your car start?
your engine will start but run badly on a multi cyl. ie. more than one only 1 plug may be down, not often more than 1 together
Location of crankshaft sensor for 2000 Xterra?
The crankshaft sensor on a 2000 Nissan Xterra is located at the rear of the engine near the bell housing. It continuously monitors the crankshaft and updates the vehicle's computer on its status.
Where do vacuum lines go on a 1994 dodge shadow?
To many to try and go thru on this site, but your Dakota should have the routing on a label that is on the under side of the hood. If not, my Chiltons book in the Emissions chapter starting at page 4-20 has routing diagrams for all of the engines.
Why is your 2002 jeep wrangler squeeling in cold weather at start up?
Check the fan belt it may be tight when cold and causes the whistle until it loosends up when it warms up during use. Can also be caused by the throttle body needing to be cleaned, carbon build up on the IAC motor
How do you get the key to turn for a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo if it is locked into place?
sometimes if you parked with wheels not straight the steering lock will engage and be tight in the steering column if this is the problem, just move the steering wheel a bit so it frees up a little it will only move one way if this is the cause then while holding steering wheel away from where it was, see if key will turn if this doesnt work, get a steering column specialist to come out and fix ignition
It sounds lke the battery. Check the battery cables to make sure they are tightly attached to the battery. Check for debris that may need cleaning off.
My car will not start but it makes a clicking noice when i try to start it. what is wrong?
If the starter is clicking, that's a good sign. Replace the battery and make sure you didn't have a drain on it. This problem could be caused by several things, but a weak battery or bad starter solenoid would be at the top of my list of things to check.
When my 2000 ford focus ran out of gas. why wont it start?
Most likely your fuel filter is clogged from sediment in tank or fuel pump is faulty, to narrow down that fuel pump is not faulty try turning key to on position DON'T START and listen for a soft humming sound from rear of car. If no sound is heard you likely have a bad fuel pump. You may also try pushing on schraeder valve on fuel rail (looks like tire stem for airing tires only on fuel rail, probably has black cap on it like tires or similar) if gas squirts out you are getting gas to engine and must diagnose other problems. Good luck.
I changed the ignition switch in a 2004 Oldsmobile alero why wont it start?
is there spark to the plugs? is there fuel to the injectors? timing correct? check these things in order and deal with each one to find the answer. too many variables at this point, need to narrow it down
Red battery light on Orange engine sign lit up car wont start?
you got a dead battery. go buy another one
I have a 1997 Chevy Astro Van that won't start and I am getting no fuel and no spark?
Try slapping the fuel tank, maybe the pump is gone. also bad for fuel line poppet valves under intakes. These vans will only run on a certain fuel pressure! Any lower and you can have problems. get it checked out fuel pump is in gas tank. To fix the fuel pump, the tank has to be removed (no smoking) ,so some diy mechanics cut a hole in the top above the fuel pump ,so the next time it will be easy.
Starter motor ring gear is a large gear cog that fits around the circumference of the flywheel on rear of engine. When the starter motor spins, its 'Bendix' engages this gear to rotate the crankshaft..
ABP INOP light on dash 1994 comaro won't start?
A you sure this light does not say, ABS. ABS stands for Anti-Lock Brakes. If the light is on there is a problem with the ABS system.
A you sure this light does not say, ABS. ABS stands for Anti-Lock Brakes. If the light is on there is a problem with the ABS system.
White smoke coming out of the tailpipe?
White smoke exhaust usually means either a head gasket leak or an intake gasket leak. Both are cheaper to repair sooner than later.
2002 Mercedes Benz E320 turns over but won't start?
Start with the basics, check your fuel filters first . Remove the fuel line from where it comes into the filter (It will be marked In and be located on the bottom of the filter) then have someone look and see when you crank the engine whether or not fuel is coming through the line. If there is no fuel it is a good sighn your pump is bad and needs replacement. However if you have fuel coming through the line replace your gas line on the INside of your filter and test the out going line on the top of the filter or OUT side. If the fuel is not coming out when you crank the engine or is but at a lower / slower rate replace your filter. If your filters are in good working order and your pump is delivering fuel to the lines yet still wont start it could be a senser problem. If it is, you should be getting a check engine light. If this is the case try to get it into a service station and hook into there computer to get the error code. Last thing, if your car was spudering or stalling prior to your starting problem and all of the above is in good order it may be that your pump though working is not delevering enough presure to the lines. I hope this helps a little good luck.
Michael.
Actually, if the battery is bad it will click or turn over very slowly. If all the electronics work and there is no noise, it is the starter. Take a small hammer and tap very lightly on the starter (sometimes there is a label on the starter, aim there). This is only tempary and you will eventually need to replace the unit. i had this same problem with my ford fiesta the lights and radio still worked but it did not make another sound. it just needs a new battery. hope this is helpfull
Why is the key hard to turn in ignition during cold weather on your 1992 Jeep Wrangler?
Depending on the year of the vehicle, Chrysler had some issues with their ignitions from the 1998 - 2004 range. The ignition switches wear badly and rather than getting it repaired, alot of times it is more cost effective to just have the ignition cylinder replaced. To tell the truth, you could get the original repaired and then end up a week later with the same issues.
Without more details it is hard to give an answer. Key things to notice are:
The engine turns over? The starter doesn't catch? The starter doesn't work?
How do it Jump start Mercedes W215?
There should be a positive post under a red shield in the engine compartment. Connect the positive side first on the vehicle to be jumped, then connect the negative side cable to a good unpainted bolt on the engine or one supplied on the body near the positive jump point. Then connect the other end of positive to a good battery of higher capacity than what your car has. Last connect the other end of the negative side cable to a good unpainted bolt on the engine or one supplied on the body. Start the engine on the good car battery and let run for 5-10min. to charge the low battery as much as possible, then start the car to be jumped.
Do you have to drop the gas tank to put on a fuel pump?
Most likely. Go read about it at the Library, or purchase a book that shows you what's involved. Yes, The tank must be dropped to access the pump. Once you get the tank dropped you will remove the sending unit from the top of the tank and the pump is attached to it.Simply remove the 2 wires from pump,remove pump and re-install in the same mannor.Most of the time you can take a pry bar and move the exhaust system out of the way enough to remove and install the tank without removing it.This job is done much easier on a vehical lift,if you do not have one then I suggest you have it done by a local shop.
How do you test a crankshaft position sensor?
Idk about the 99 civic but on my 95 jdm d15 the crank shaft position sensor is in the distributor. If the sensor is bad then you must replace the whole distributor. A bad wire could also cause this problem. Hope that helps good luck. jdmd15crx
I just had the very same thing happen to me yesterday. My truck had been making that noise for about 2 weeks and then yesterday I went to start my truck and it died on me. My husband put in a new battery and it started right back up! It's alive!! If it is not your battery then it could aslo be your starter, but have your battery checked first. I hope that this helped:)
